HESI Pharmacology Examination 100
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Questions 1–50
1. A client taking warfarin is taught to maintain a consistent intake of
vitamin K. Which food is highest in vitamin K?
A. Bananas
B. White rice
C. Spinach
D. Apples
Answer: Spinach
Rationale: Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin
K. Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent vitamin K intake
because sudden increases or decreases can alter anticoagulant effectiveness.
2. The nurse is administering digoxin to an adult client. Which finding
should cause the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
,Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The medication is generally
withheld when the adult apical pulse is below 60 beats/min, and the provider
should be notified according to facility protocol.
3. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor in a
client receiving furosemide?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium
loss, potentially resulting in hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
4. A client receiving lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and tongue. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Hold the medication and seek emergency treatment
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
Answer: Hold the medication and seek emergency treatment
Rationale: Lip and tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a potentially
life-threatening reaction to ACE inhibitors that can compromise the airway.
5. Which instruction is most important for a client taking sublingual
nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with water
B. Take the medication only after meals
C. Sit or lie down before taking the medication
D. Store the medication in a weekly pill organizer
,Answer: Sit or lie down before taking the medication
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and can produce significant
hypotension and dizziness. Sitting or lying down helps reduce the risk of injury
from syncope.
6. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a client receiving
morphine?
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperactivity
D. Diarrhea
Answer: Respiratory depression
Rationale: Opioids can suppress the respiratory center. Respiratory rate,
oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, and sedation should be monitored
closely.
7. Which medication is the antidote for opioid-induced respiratory
depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-
induced respiratory and central nervous system depression.
8. A client taking metformin is scheduled for a procedure involving
iodinated contrast. Which action is appropriate?
, A. Give an additional dose of metformin
B. Hold metformin according to the prescribed protocol
C. Give metformin with milk
D. Substitute insulin without an order
Answer: Hold metformin according to the prescribed protocol
Rationale: Metformin may need to be temporarily withheld around iodinated
contrast administration because of the risk of renal impairment and lactic
acidosis.
9. Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia in a client
receiving insulin?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, slow respirations
Answer: Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, hunger,
and anxiety.
10.Which insulin has the most rapid onset of action?
A. Glargine
B. NPH
C. Lispro
D. Detemir
Answer: Lispro
Rationale: Insulin lispro is rapid-acting and begins working quickly, making it
appropriate for administration around mealtimes.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
Questions 1–50
1. A client taking warfarin is taught to maintain a consistent intake of
vitamin K. Which food is highest in vitamin K?
A. Bananas
B. White rice
C. Spinach
D. Apples
Answer: Spinach
Rationale: Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin
K. Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent vitamin K intake
because sudden increases or decreases can alter anticoagulant effectiveness.
2. The nurse is administering digoxin to an adult client. Which finding
should cause the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
,Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The medication is generally
withheld when the adult apical pulse is below 60 beats/min, and the provider
should be notified according to facility protocol.
3. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor in a
client receiving furosemide?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium
loss, potentially resulting in hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
4. A client receiving lisinopril reports swelling of the lips and tongue. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Hold the medication and seek emergency treatment
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
Answer: Hold the medication and seek emergency treatment
Rationale: Lip and tongue swelling can indicate angioedema, a potentially
life-threatening reaction to ACE inhibitors that can compromise the airway.
5. Which instruction is most important for a client taking sublingual
nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with water
B. Take the medication only after meals
C. Sit or lie down before taking the medication
D. Store the medication in a weekly pill organizer
,Answer: Sit or lie down before taking the medication
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation and can produce significant
hypotension and dizziness. Sitting or lying down helps reduce the risk of injury
from syncope.
6. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a client receiving
morphine?
A. Hypertension
B. Respiratory depression
C. Hyperactivity
D. Diarrhea
Answer: Respiratory depression
Rationale: Opioids can suppress the respiratory center. Respiratory rate,
oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, and sedation should be monitored
closely.
7. Which medication is the antidote for opioid-induced respiratory
depression?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-
induced respiratory and central nervous system depression.
8. A client taking metformin is scheduled for a procedure involving
iodinated contrast. Which action is appropriate?
, A. Give an additional dose of metformin
B. Hold metformin according to the prescribed protocol
C. Give metformin with milk
D. Substitute insulin without an order
Answer: Hold metformin according to the prescribed protocol
Rationale: Metformin may need to be temporarily withheld around iodinated
contrast administration because of the risk of renal impairment and lactic
acidosis.
9. Which symptom is most characteristic of hypoglycemia in a client
receiving insulin?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, slow respirations
Answer: Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system,
producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, hunger,
and anxiety.
10.Which insulin has the most rapid onset of action?
A. Glargine
B. NPH
C. Lispro
D. Detemir
Answer: Lispro
Rationale: Insulin lispro is rapid-acting and begins working quickly, making it
appropriate for administration around mealtimes.
